With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Banksy Sez Paris Too Stupid To Get Joke
Street artist and prankster Banksy, who snuck 500 altered Paris Hilton cds into UK record stores last week, says that the LA heiress is probably too blonde to understand his dry wit, according to PR Inside.
The reclusive stencilist, who is threatening to cause a stir here in Los Angeles later this month, let his publicist do the talking regarding the doctored discs. "He's saying you can be a celebrity, but you don't have to do music," Jo Brooks explained. "I don't know what the reaction will be in America or whether she would even get it."
Some argue that Banksy is only drawing more attention to the Simple Life star, who doesn't really need the help. Her album Paris debuted last week at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 behind P. Diddy's latest manufactured girl-group Danity Kane, who topped the charts. The new Outkast soundtrack was #2, followed by the latest cd from Christina Aguilera, the suprisingly sucessful Spanish-language Mana, and The Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack, respectfully.
While it might keep the skinny blonde in the Top 10, it's also helping Americans discover the British prankster, who recently tagged a wall in Bristol with art of a naked man hanging on to a windowsill. The graffiti was left alone after the local city council asked the public to decide its fate and the public asked that it stay. Hot.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it.
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course.
-
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits.
-
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
-
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.